Wheel.



L. K. TVHORSPEGK.

WHBEL.

APPLICATION I'ILED SEPT. 2, 1909.

Patented Oct. 11, 1 910.

727- W VM LOUIS K. THORSPECK, OF SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN.

WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Application filed September 2, 1909. Serial No. 515,801.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS K. THoRsrnOK, a citizen of the United States,residing at South Haven, county of Van Buren, State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Wheels, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wheels.

The invention relates particularly to metal Wheels adapted for use onlight Vehicles such as childrenls carriages and the like, althoughcertain features thereof are desirable for use on heavy wheels.

The main objects of this invention are, first, to provide a wheel of theclass described which is very economical in structure and at the sametime is very strong and durable. Second, to provide an improved metalwheel having few parts in which the parts are simple in structure andeasily assembled. Third, to provide an improved metal wheel which can bevery quickly and easily assembled and proper tension applied to theparts. Fourth, to provide in a wheel an improved means for securing thespokes to the hub. Fifth, to provide in a wheel an improved hubconstruction.

Figure 1 is a detailed side elevation of a structure embodying thefeatures of my invention. Fig. 2 is an e'nlarged detail view partiallyin Vertical section taken on aline corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 3-3 ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is an inside' view of one of the hub flanges before ithas been clamped on the spoke securing ring. Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken on a line corresponding to line 54-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. G is apcrspective view of the barrel of my improved hub. Fig. 7 is a detailview of one of the spokes of my improved wheel formed from fiat metal.

In the drawing, similar numerals of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the rim 1 of my improved wheel is preferablyof channel form as illustrated and adapted to receive a cushion tire as2. The rim 1 is provided with spoko openings 3 through which the outerends of the spokes 4 are inserted. The spokes 4 are provided with eyes 5at each end. The spokes are secured to the rim by arranging the wire orrod 6 through the eyes 5 in the outer ends of the spokes after thespokes have been inserted in the rim openings 3. The rod or wire 6 ispreferably common to all of the spokes and the ends may be brazedtogether if desired, making the same into a continuous ring. The tire 2is arranged in the channel over the ends of the spokes and the securingrod or Wire so that the spokes and the securing rod are covered thereby.This forms a very simple and effective means for securing the spokes tothe rim.

The spokes 4 are formed from flat metal, punching the eyes in theopposite ends thereof. This enables me to readily manufacture any numberof spokes of eXactly the same length. This is of great advantage, aswill be observed when the method of assembling the wheel is taken intoconsideration, as it insures perfectly true Wheels, without any specialforming or Shaping of the same afterward. Vhen I say the spokes areformed from fiat metal, I wish that to be understood as including Wire'that may be properly fiattencd to enable the punching of the eyes forthe securing of the ends of the spokes to the hub and the rim.

A pair of wiro rings 7 are provided, each ring being arranged throughthe eyes in the inner ends of alternate spokes. The hub fianges 8 arebeaded or clamped over the rings 7 and thus by the rings the spokes areefcctively secured to the fianges. The fianges are slotted at 9 toreceive the spokes so that the spokes are held in a suitably spacedrelation and clamped against lateral movement on the rings 7. Theflanges 8 are preferably provided with sleeve portions 10 which projectinwardly to embrace the hub barrel 11. This hub barrel 11 is providedwith outwardly projecting lug like fiange spacing members 12 which areadapted to engage the fianges and hold them in a spaced relation. Theflanges are preferably provided with notches 13 to receive the spacinglugs so that the parts are secured togetherthat is, the hub and thefianges are connected so that they cannot turn or move relative to eachother. One of the hub fianges is preferably provided with grooves 1A toreceive the lugs 12 which permits the introduction of the hub barrelthrough the fiange. The flanges are preferably secured upon the hubbarrel by turning the outer ends of the barrel up as at 15, see Fig. 2.This is preferably done by spinning out the ends of the hub memberswhich secures a smooth finish and also clamps the fianges against thespacing members 12.

In assembling the wheel the spokes are first laced on the rings 7, eachring preferably being inserted through the eyes of alternate spokes. Therings are then secured to the hub flanges which are preferably formed asillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, in which condition they are adapted toreceive the rings and be folded or clamped upon the same as is clearlyshown in F ig. 2, the work being preferably done by an upsetting device.The spokes are then secured to the rim. The hub barrel is then insertedand the fianges spread to apply tension to the spokes, the hub barrelmember inserted through the fiange provided with the grooves 111 andturned to position to engage the notches 13 in the fianges. The fiangespreading device is then released to allow the flanges to move againstthe spacing lugs of the hub barrel member and the ends of the barrelsare spun up or upset as indicated at 15, the structure is thus completedand all of the spokes are properly tensioned. This can be very quicklyand easily done and the desired tension secured upon all the spokes by asimple operation.

The parts of my improved wheel are very simple and economical to produceand the same may be very readily assembled as indicated, and. whenassembled produce a structure which is very strong and all of the spokesequally tensioned so that the wheel is capable of withstanding veryheavy loads.

lvly improved wheel is light in weight7 and at the same time, verystrong and clurable. As stated, the same is very economical in form andare quickly and easily assembled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wheel comprising a channel rim having spoke openings therethrough:spokes punched from flat metal having eyes at each end thereof arrangedthrough said openings; a spoke securing rod arranged in the channel ofsaid rim through the eyes in the outer ends of said spokes; a pair ofhub fiange rings, each ring being arranged through the eyes in the innerends of alternate spokes; a hub barrel having flange-engaging lugstoward each end thereof; and hub flanges provided withinwardly-projecting sleeves, said flanges being beaded about said ringsand slotted to receive said spokes, the inner ends of said fiangesleeves being` notched to receive said lugs on said barrel, one of thesleeves being provided with internal longitudinal grooves adapted toreceive the said lugs on said barrel, the outer ends of said barrelbeing turned outwardly to engage and retain the said fianges thereon.

2. A wheel comprising spokes having eyes in their inner ends; a pair' ofhub fiange rings, each ring being arranged through the eyes in the innerends of alternate spokes; a hub barrel having fiange-engaging lugstoward each end thereof; and hub fianges provided withinwardly-projecting sleeves7 said fianges being beaded about said ringsand slotted to receive said spokes, the inner ends of said fiangesleeves being notched to receive said lugs on said barrel, one of thesleeves being provided with internal longitudinal grooves adapted toreceive the said lugs on said barrel, the outer ends of said barrelbeing turned outwardly to engage and retain the said fianges thereon.

3. A wheel comprising spokes having eyes in their inner ends; a pair ofhub fiange rings, each ring being arranged through the eyes in the innerends of alternate spokes; a hub barrel having fiange-engaging lugstoward each end thereof; and hub flanges provided withinwardly-projecting sleeves, said fianges being beaded about said ringsand slo'tted to receive said spokes, the inner ends of said fiangesleeves being notched to receive said lugs on said barrel, one of .thesleeves being provided with internal longitudinal grooves adapted toreceive the said lugs on said barrel.

a. In a. wheel, the combination of a rim of channel form containingperforations for the spokes; a rubber tire to fit the rim; a pair offlanges forming hub ends; rings retained on said fianges by suitablefingers folded around the same; spokes punched from metal having eyes ateach end; wire fastening means arranged through the eyes in the outerends of said spokes, where they are extended into the said channel, therings on the said hub flanges being threaded through the inner ends ofthe spokes; a hub barrel inserted through said fianges with suitableengaging means for engaging the said hub fianges to hold the sameseparated and put stress on the said spokes.

5. The combination in a wheel of a suitable rim perforated to receivespokes; a suitable hub structure with flanges toward each end;

spokes punched from fiat metal With eyes at In Witness whereof, I havehereunto set each end; suitable retainng wires for nsermy hand and Sealin the presence of two 10 tion through the said eyes in the ends of saidWltneSSeS- SpOkGS, at the hub and at the lIl; [L q:l means for puttngStress on the said spokes k by separating the said hub flanges; andVtnesses:

means securing them in place, coactng for H. T. COOK,

the purpose specified. WILL MERSORE.

